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The Ho Chi Minh City's government has called on citizens to donate to charitable organizations rather than give to panhandlers, news website VnExpress reported.

The HCMC People’s Committee made the request through an urgent note sent to departments, agencies and district-level authorities calling for close management of the city's homeless population during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday and other holidays next year.

It also called for a crackdown on begging.

According to the committee, conmen have begun posing as elderly vendors, Buddhist monks, disabled and sick people to separate generous people from their money, tarnishing the city's image.

The government ordered city authorities to begin bringing beggars and homeless people to social centers starting this Sunday, December 28.

The municipal government ordered district authorities to persuade city residents to avoid giving money to beggars and homeless people and asked philanthropists to donate to charitable organizations.

It further ordered the municipal Buddhist Sangha to call on Buddhists not to go begging as they may be confused with conmen.